HARARE – South Africa’s power utility Eskom says it has not received any payment from Zimbabwe, contradicting statements by Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and Energy Minister Fortune Chasi.
The two ministers told a media briefing at the end of a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that ZESA had paid Eskom US$10 million to bring down its debt of US$33 million.
Chasi said they hoped the payment would lead to Eskom resuming power exports to Zimbabwe, which the minister said would be around 400 megawatts.
But Eskom issued a statement on Friday denying that a payment had been received.
“Eskom would like to state that no funds have reflected on its accounts for Zimbabwe’s outstanding debt as at 28 June at 3PM,” the statement said.
Eskom CEO Phakamani Hadebe said “once Eskom has received the funds, we will then enter into further discussions with ZESA.”
Zimbabwe faces a major power shortfall after receding water levels at Lake Kariba dramatically forced the country to reduce power generation. Regular faults at the coal-powered power stations has seen the country experience its worst power cuts in years, lasting up to 15 hours daily.
Zimbabwe is also hoping to secure more imports from Mozambique, after the two presidents met recently.
